Mobile communication switching method and device, core network equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a mobile communication switching method and device, core network equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and the method comprises the steps: receiving a network switching demand which is sent by first access network equipment of a 5G network and aims at target terminal equipment UE; in response to the network switching demand, sending a relocation request to a mobility management entity (MME) in a core network of the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network at the network side; a switching command is sent to a target UE through a first access network device, the switching command comprises first switching demand information, and the switching command is used for enabling the target UE to execute a switching operation based on the first switching demand information so as to switch from a 5G network to a 4G network on a device side. According to the invention, unnecessary communication and resource occupation can be reduced, and the use efficiency of network resources is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a mobile communication switching method, apparatus, core network equipment and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the current mobile communications field, with the promotion and deployment of 5G technology, the interoperability of 4G and 5G networks has become a key technical challenge. The interoperability between the Evolved Packet System (EPS), the core architecture of the 4G network, and the 5G System (5GS) is the basis for achieving smooth network transition and seamless coverage.

[0003] At present, when the user equipment switches from 5GS to EPS, the 5GS session establishment process must include the mapping of EPS bearer context information, which is used to convey to the user equipment the EPS bearer identifier, service quality parameters, and aggregate maximum bit rate information required when switching to EPS. Conversely, the user equipment may also switch from EPS to 5GS. At this time, during the establishment of the EPS default bearer or dedicated bearer, the PCO information element is carried to convey to the user equipment the 5GS session slice, service quality rules, service quality flow description, and aggregate maximum bit rate information required when switching to 5GS.

[0004] However, before 5GS switches to EPS, the information required for switching needs to be transmitted through the session establishment or session modification process, but the switching does not necessarily occur. If the user equipment always stays in the 5GS environment, the switching information transmitted before will become useless information, but it still occupies air interface resources. This waste of resources is particularly serious when there are a large number of users in the network. Secondly, before EPS switches to 5GS, the information required for switching also needs to be transmitted through the default bearer establishment, dedicated bearer establishment or session modification process, but if the switching does not occur, such as the user equipment always stays in the EPS environment, this information will also become useless resource occupation. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a mobile communication switching method, device, core network equipment and storage medium to address the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art, so as to reduce unnecessary communications and resource occupation and improve the efficiency of network resource utilization.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobile communication switching method, which is applied to an access mobility management function AMF network element in a 5G network, and the method includes:

[0008] Receiving a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network;

[0009] In response to the network switching demand, a switching request is sent to a mobility management entity MME in a core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through a service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through a second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side;

[0010] A switching command is sent to the target UE through the first access network device, and the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

[0011] Optionally, the first switching requirement information is carried in a packet data unit PDU in the switching command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0012] Optionally, the extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the first switching requirement information, and the first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context.

[0013] In a second aspect, another embodiment of the present application provides a mobile communication switching method, which is applied to a mobile management entity MME in a 4G network, and the method includes:

[0014] Receiving a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in the 4G network;

[0015] In response to the network switching request, a relocation request is sent to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side;

[0016] A switching command is sent to the target UE through the second access network device, and the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

[0017] Optionally, the second handover requirement information is carried in an extended packet data unit PDU in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0018] Optionally, the extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the second switching requirement information, and the second switching requirement information includes: a protocol configuration option PCO information element.

[0019] In a third aspect, another embodiment of the present application provides a mobile communication switching device, which is applied to an access mobility management function AMF network element in a 5G network, and the device includes:

[0020] A first receiving module is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network;

[0021] A first response module is used to respond to the network switching demand and send a relocation request to a mobility management entity MME in a core network of a 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for a target UE through a service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through a second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side;

[0022] The first sending module is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the first access network device, and the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, another embodiment of the present application provides a mobile communication switching device, which is applied to a mobile management entity MME in a 4G network, and the device includes:

[0024] A second receiving module is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in the 4G network;

[0025] A second response module, configured to respond to the network switching request, send a relocation request to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and enable the target AMF to perform an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side;

[0026] The second sending module is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the second access network device, and the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

[0027] In the fifth aspect, another embodiment of the present application provides a core network device, including: a transmitter, a receiver and a processor, the transmitter and the receiver are respectively connected to the processor, and when the core network device is running, the processor is used to execute the steps of the method described in the first and second aspects above.

[0028] In a sixth aspect, another embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the first and second aspects above are executed.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0030] The present application provides a mobile communication switching method, device, core network equipment and storage medium, which first responds to the network switching demand by receiving the network switching demand for the target terminal device UE sent by the first access network device of the 5G network. And send a relocation request to the mobile management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through the service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side. Thus, a switching command is sent to the target UE through the first access network device, so that the target UE performs a switching operation based on the first switching demand information, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side. That is to say, in the present application, the process of establishing a session and sending the first switching demand information is separated to ensure that the first switching demand information is transmitted only when the network switching is actually required, which can reduce unnecessary communication and resource occupation and improve the efficiency of network resource utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process of switching from a 5G network to a 4G network in the prior art provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 2 A first mobile communication switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a process of switching from a 4G network to a 5G network in the prior art provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 4 Another mobile communication switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile communication switching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of another mobile communication switching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] To make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the drawings in the present application only serve the purpose of explanation and description and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, it should be understood that the schematic drawings are not drawn in real proportion. The flowchart used in this application shows the operations implemented according to some embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the operations of the flowchart can be implemented out of sequence, and the steps without logical context can be reversed in order or implemented simultaneously. In addition, those skilled in the art can add one or more other operations to the flowchart under the guidance of the content of the present application, or remove one or more operations from the flowchart.

[0040] In addition, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the application claimed for protection, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0041] It should be noted that the term "comprising" will be used in the embodiments of the present application to indicate the existence of the features declared thereafter, but does not exclude the addition of other features.

[0042] In the field of mobile communications, with the rapid development and deployment of 5G technology, user equipment may encounter the situation of switching from a 5G network to a 4G network. This switching is essential to ensure the continuity of communication and service quality. In order to support the switching from the 5G network to the 4G network, during the establishment of the 5G system (5GS) session, the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context must be carried to convey the information of switching to the evolved packet system (Evolved Packet System, referred to as EPS), the EPS bearer identifier corresponding to the session, the quality of service (Quality of Service, referred to as Qos) parameters, the aggregate maximum bit rate (Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate, referred to as AMBR) and other information to the user equipment. Among them, the user equipment can be all types of terminal devices, which can be connected to the network and communicate. For example, mobile phones, computers, tablets, smart watches, etc., the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. If the user equipment is switched from other standards to the 5G network and then switched to the 4G network, that is, the 5GS session establishment process does not occur, then the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context is carried through the 5GS session modification process to convey the information required when switching to EPS to the user equipment. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process of switching from a 5G network to a 4G network in the prior art provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 1As shown, the process is a schematic diagram of switching from 5GS to EPS using the N26 interface for single registration mode. In order to clearly describe the process of the prior art, the multiple characters in the accompanying drawings are first explained. Among them, User Equipment (UE); Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Next Generation Radio Access Networ (NG-RAN); Access and mobility management function (AMF); Mobility Management Entity (MME); Server GateWay (SGW); Visited Session Management Function (V-SMF); Visited User Plane Function (V-UPF); Control plane function (PGW control plane function, PGW C) + session management function (SMF); User plane function (PGW userplane function, PGW U) + User plane function (UPF).

[0043] As follows, combined with the attached Figure 1The prior art is described. First, a protocol data unit (PDU) session and QoS process are set up in the 5G core network. During the 5GS session establishment process, the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context must be carried to convey the configuration information required for switching to EPS to the user equipment. 1.NG RAN decides that the UE should be switched to E UTRAN. 2.AMF determines that the switching type is switching to E UTRAN based on the "target eNB identifier" IE. 3.AMF selects MME and sends a relocation request. 4.MME selects the serving gateway SGW and sends a create session request message for each PDN connection to the serving gateway SGW. 5.The serving gateway SGW allocates its local resources and returns them to the MME in the create session response message. 6.MME requests the target eNode B to establish a bearer by sending a message "handover request message". The message also contains a list of EPS bearer IDs that need to be established. 7.The target eNB allocates the requested resources and returns the applicable parameters to the target MME in the message "handover request confirmation". 8. The serving gateway SGW returns a Create Indirect Data Forwarding Tunnel Response message to the target MME. 9. The MME sends a message "Relocation Response". 10. If indirect forwarding is applicable, the AMF forwards information about the data forwarded to the SGW to the PGW C+SMF. 11. The AMF sends a handover command to the source NG RAN. 12. When the UE has successfully accessed the target eNodeB, the target eNodeB notifies the target MME by sending a message "Handover Notification". 13. The target MME notifies the serving gateway SGW that the MME is responsible for all bearers that the UE has established by sending a Modify Bearer Request message for each PDN connection. 14. The serving gateway SGW notifies the PGW C+SMF of the relocation by sending a Modify Bearer Request message for each PDN connection. 15. The PGW C+SMF initiates the N4 session modification procedure to the UPF+PGW U to update the user plane path. 16-17. Modify Bearer Response. 18. The UE initiates the Tracking Area Update procedure. 19. If PCC is deployed, the PCF may decide to provide the previously removed PCC rules to the PGW C+SMF again, thereby triggering the PGW C+SMF to initiate a dedicated bearer activation procedure. 20-21. Delete indirect data forwarding tunnel request / response.

[0044] However, in the prior art, before 5GS switches to EPS, it is necessary to recommend that the session transfer carry the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context, which is used to pass the configuration information required when switching to EPS to the user equipment. However, the switch may not necessarily happen. When the user equipment always resides in the 5GS environment, there is no need for the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context to be transferred by the session. If the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context is transferred during the session establishment process, it will occupy air interface resources, which will lead to excessive waste of resources when there are a large number of users in the network.

[0045] To this end, the present application provides a mobile communication switching method, which is applied to the access mobility management function AMF network element in the 5G network. The present application will only respond to the network switching demand when receiving the network switching demand of the target terminal device, and send a switching request to the mobile management entity MME, and perform the access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network and send a switching command to the target UE through the first access network device. It avoids the early transmission of the mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context when there is no need for network switching, ensuring that this information is only transmitted when network switching is actually required, thereby avoiding unnecessary resource occupation, implementing dynamic resource management strategies, adjusting resource allocation according to the current network load and user needs, and ensuring that resources are used most effectively.

[0046] A mobile communication switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Figure 2 The first mobile communication switching method provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the method includes:

[0047] Step 201: Receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of a 5G network.

[0048] Among them, the first access network device is the next generation radio access network NG-RAN. The target terminal device UE can be all types of terminal devices that can connect to the network and communicate. For example, mobile phones, computers, tablets, smart watches, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The network switching demand can specifically be switching from a 5G network to a 4G network. For example, when the target terminal device UE moves from one cell to another and needs to maintain continuous communication services, the network switching demand can be triggered; or, when the target terminal device UE detects that the signal quality of the current cell drops below a certain threshold, it needs to switch to a cell with a stronger signal; or other situations, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Among them, the cell in this application generally refers to a logical area in a mobile communication network, not an actual physical area.

[0049] Optionally, a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device NG-RAN of a 5G network is received. For details, please refer to Figure 1 Follow step 1 in .

[0050] Optionally, when receiving a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network, it is only necessary to set up a PDU session in the 5GS without transmitting an evolved packet system EPS bearer context carrying the mapping.

[0051] Step 202, in response to the network switching demand, sends a relocation request to the mobile management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through the service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side.

[0052] The second access network device is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network E-UTRAN.

[0053] Optionally, the access mobility management function AMF network element in the 5G network responds to the network switching demand for the target terminal device UE sent by the first access network device, and the access mobility management function AMF network element determines that the switching type is switching to EUTRAN, and sends a relocation request to the mobility management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network. The mobility management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network sends a session creation request for the target UE to the service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and receives the session creation request response returned by the service gateway SGW, thereby performing a session creation operation for the target UE. The mobility management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network sends a switching request to the second access network device E-UTRAN, and receives the switching request confirmation returned by the second access network device E-UTRAN, thereby implementing the access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side.

[0054] Step 203: Send a handover command to the target UE through the first access network device.

[0055] Among them, the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present application, first, a network switching demand is responded to by receiving a network switching demand for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network. A relocation request is sent to the mobile management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through the service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side. Thus, a switching command is sent to the target UE through the first access network device, so that the target UE performs a switching operation based on the first switching demand information, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side. In other words, in the present application, the process of establishing a session and sending the first switching demand information is separated to ensure that the first switching demand information is transmitted only when a network switching is actually required, which can reduce unnecessary communication and resource occupation and improve the efficiency of network resource utilization.

[0057] On the basis of the above embodiment, the first handover requirement information is carried in a packet data unit PDU in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0058] For example, Table 1 is a definition table of a switching command provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Table 1:

[0059] Table 1 Definition of switch commands

[0060]

[0061]

[0062] Among them, the handover command includes the information element / group name, the occurrence condition and the range. As can be seen from Table 1 above, the occurrence condition carried in the packet data unit PDU in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling is optional. In this application, the first handover requirement information can be carried in the packet data unit PDU in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling during the process of sending the handover command, so that the target UE performs a handover operation based on the first handover requirement information in the handover command to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

[0063] The packet data unit PDU carried in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling is referred to as NAS-PDU for short.

[0064] For example, Table 2 is a definition table of a NAS-PDU provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Table 2:

[0065] Table 2 Definition of NAS-PDU

[0066]

[0067] The information element / group name refers to the name of the data unit or data group defined in the protocol. The occurrence condition describes the circumstances under which the information element or data group may appear. The range specifies the range of times the information element or data group may appear. The IE type and reference refer to the data type of the information element and its reference number in the protocol.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the first switching requirement information is carried in the packet data unit PDU in the switching command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling, which means that when performing network switching, the switching requirement information is not transmitted through a direct network access layer command, but is carried in the PDU through NAS signaling. This ensures that the first switching requirement information is transmitted only when a network switching is actually required, thereby avoiding unnecessary resource occupation.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present application, the packet data unit PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the first switching requirement information, and the first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context.

[0070] Among them, the message security code (Message authentication code) is an authentication token, which is generated by the network and sent to the target terminal device UE. The message security code includes: sequence number, anonymous key, authentication management domain and message authentication code. The message security code is stored in the 1st to 4th bytes of the packet data unit PDU. The sequence number (Sequence number) is used to ensure the freshness of the switching demand information to resist replay attacks. The sequence number is a sequence number counter maintained by the target terminal device UE and the home user server respectively. The sequence number is stored in the 5th byte of the packet data unit PDU. The message security code and sequence number are mainly used to achieve two-way authentication and secure communication between users and the network.

[0071] The first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context. Specifically, it includes an EPS bearer identity, a length of mapped EPS bearer context, an operation code, an E bit, a number of EPS parameters, and an EPS parameters list. The EPS bearer identity is an identifier of the bearer and is stored in the 6th byte of the packet data unit PDU. The length of the mapped EPS bearer context indicates the length of the context mapped to the EPS bearer. The context contains information about the EPS bearer, such as QoS (Quality of Service), etc., which is stored in the 7th-8th bytes of the packet data unit PDU. The operation code indicates the code of a specific operation, such as adding, deleting, or modifying an EPS bearer; the number of EPS parameters specifies the number of parameters in the subsequent EPS parameter list; the operation code, reserved bit, bearer bit, and the number of EPS parameters are stored in the 9th byte of the packet data unit PDU. The EPS parameter list includes a list of multiple EPS parameters, each of which may have a specific meaning and application scenario. The specific number of bytes to be stored is determined according to the actual situation, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. It is stored in the 10th byte of the packet data unit PDU and multiple bytes after the 10th byte. The EPS parameter list may include: mapping EPS quality of service (QoS) parameters, access point name-aggregate maximum bit rate (Access Point Name-Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate, referred to as APN-AMBR), or other content, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0072] For example, Table 3 is a schematic table of a packet data unit PDU provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Table 3:

[0073] Table 3 Schematic diagram of packet data unit PDU

[0074]

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, a packet data unit PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number, and first switching requirement information, and the first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context. The application provides encryption and integrity verification through the message security code and sequence number to protect the information from being tampered with or eavesdropped during transmission. The inclusion of the first switching requirement information enables the target terminal device to access the new network faster during the switching process, and the network can quickly configure resources, improve the utilization of network resources, and reduce service interruption time.

[0076] In the field of mobile communications, with the rapid development and deployment of 5G technology, user equipment may encounter the situation of switching from a 4G network to a 5G network. This switching is essential to ensure the continuity of communication and service quality. In order to support the switching from a 4G network to a 5G network, during the establishment of the default bearer of the evolved packet system EPS, the protocol configuration option PCO information element must be carried to convey the information such as the 5GS session slice, quality of service rules, q quality of service flow description, and aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) corresponding to the session to the user equipment when switching to 5GS. Among them, the user equipment can be all types of terminal devices that can connect to the network and communicate. For example, mobile phones, computers, tablets, smart watches, etc., the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. If the user equipment is switched from other standards to a 4G network and then switched to a 5G network, that is, no EPS default bearer or dedicated bearer establishment process occurs, the EPS session modification process is carried out, and the protocol configuration option PCO information element is carried to convey the information required when switching to 5GS to the user equipment. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a process of switching from a 4G network to a 5G network in the prior art provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 3As shown, the process is a schematic diagram of switching from 5GS to EPS using the N26 interface for the single registration mode. In order to clearly describe the process of the prior art, firstly, a plurality of characters in the accompanying drawings are explained. Among them, User Equipment (UE); Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN); Mobility Management Entity (MME); Initial Access and Mobility Management Function (Initial AMF); Target Initial Access and Mobility Management Function (Target Initial AMF); Server GateWay (SGW); Default Visited Session Management Function (Default V-SMF); Default Visited User Plane Function (Default V-UPF); Target Visited Session Management Function (Target V-SMF); Target Visited User Plane Function (Target V-UPF); Control Plane Function (PGW C); Session Management Function (S-SMF); Function, referred to as SMF); user plane function (PGW user plane function, referred to as PGW U); user plane function (User Plane Function, referred to as UPF); virtual policy control function (Virtual-Policy Control Function, referred to as V-PCF) virtual policy and charging rules function (Virtual-Policy and Charging Rules Function, referred to as V-PCRF);Actual policy control function (Harvesting-Policy Control Function, referred to as H-PCF) virtual policy and charging rules function (Harvesting-Policy and Charging Rules Function, referred to as H-PCRF). ;

[0077] As follows, combined with the attached Figure 3 The prior art is described. E UTRAN decides that the UE should be switched to NG RAN. UTRAN sends a switching required message to MME. MME selects a target AMF and sends a forwarding relocation request to the initial AMF. The initial AMF sends a PDU switching request to PGW U+SMF. PGW U+SMF initiates a PDU session modification to HPCF+H PCRF to obtain the 5GS PCC rules for the PDU session. The target SMF sends a switching request to NG RAN and receives a switching request confirmation. The initial AMF sends a PDU session modification to PGWU+SMF and receives a response. The target AMF forwards the relocation confirmation to MME, and an indirect data forwarding tunnel request / response is created between the MME and the gateway. Thereby, the switching between EPS and 5GS is realized.

[0078] However, in the prior art, before EPS switches to 5GS, it is necessary to propose a session transfer protocol configuration option PCO information element, which is used to transfer the configuration information required when switching to 5GS to the user equipment. However, the switch may not necessarily occur. When the user equipment always resides in the EPS environment, there is no need to transfer the session protocol configuration option PCO information element. If the protocol configuration option PCO information element is transferred during the session establishment process, it will occupy air interface resources, which will lead to excessive waste of resources when there are a large number of users in the network.

[0079] To this end, the present application provides another mobile communication switching method, which is applied to the mobile management entity MME in the 4G network. The present application will respond to the network switching demand only when receiving the network switching demand of the target terminal device, and send a relocation request to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform the relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF performs the access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side, and send a switching command to the target UE through the second access network device, so that the target UE performs the switching operation based on the second switching demand information, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side. The present application ensures that this information is transmitted only when the network switching is actually required, which can reduce processing time and delay, thereby improving user experience. At the same time, by avoiding unnecessary network switching, it can reduce the risk of service interruption and data loss, and improve the quality and reliability of services.

[0080] Another mobile communication switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Figure 4 Another mobile communication switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0081] Step 401: Receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in a 4G network.

[0082] Among them, the second access network device is the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network E-UTRAN. The target terminal device UE can be all types of terminal devices that can connect to the network and communicate. For example, mobile phones, computers, tablets, smart watches, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The network switching requirement can specifically be switching from a 4G network to a 5G network. For example, when the target terminal device UE moves from one cell to another and needs to maintain continuous communication services, the network switching requirement can be triggered; or, when the target terminal device UE detects that the signal quality of the current cell drops below a certain threshold, it needs to switch to a cell with a stronger signal; or other situations, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Among them, the cell in this application generally refers to a logical area in a mobile communication network, not an actual physical area.

[0083] Optionally, a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device E-UTRAN of the 4G network is received.

[0084] Optionally, when receiving the network switching requirement for the target terminal device UE sent by the second access network device E-UTRAN of the 4G network, it is only necessary to set up a PDU session in the EPS without transmitting the protocol configuration option PCO information element.

[0085] Step 402, in response to the network switching requirement, sends a relocation request to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side.

[0086] Optionally, in response to the network switching requirement for the target terminal device UE sent by the second access network E-UTRAN device, the mobile management entity MME sends a relocation request to the initial access mobility management function AMF network element, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF sends a switching request to the first access network device NG-RAN and receives a switching request confirmation returned by the first access network device NG-RAN, so that the target AMF performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side.

[0087] Step 403: Send a handover command to the target UE through the second access network device.

[0088] Among them, the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

[0089] In an embodiment of the present application, a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in a 4G network is received. In response to the network switching requirement, a relocation request is sent to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side. A switching command is sent to the target UE through the second access network device, so that the target UE performs a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side. The present application separates the process of establishing a session from sending the second switching requirement information, so that the second switching requirement information is transmitted only when a network switching is actually required, which can reduce processing time and delay, thereby improving user experience. At the same time, by avoiding unnecessary network switching, the risk of service interruption and data loss can be reduced, and the quality and reliability of the service can be improved.

[0090] On the basis of the above embodiment, the second handover requirement information is carried in an extended packet data unit PDU in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0091] The handover command definition table of the extended packet data unit PDU carried in the handover command by the second handover requirement information in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling can refer to the content of the above Table 1. The packet data unit PDU carried in the handover command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling is referred to as NAS-PDU for short. The definition table of the specific NAS-PDU can refer to the content of the above Table 2.

[0092] In an embodiment of the present application, the second switching requirement information is carried in the packet data unit PDU in the switching command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling, and can be transmitted directly between the mobile device and the network control entity, reducing additional signaling transmission, reducing network signaling overhead, and at the same time reducing the level of signaling transmission and improving processing efficiency.

[0093] Based on the above embodiment, the extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the second switching requirement information, and the second switching requirement information includes: a protocol configuration option PCO information element.

[0094] Among them, the message security code (Message authentication code) is an authentication token, which is generated by the network and sent to the target terminal device UE. The message security code includes: sequence number, anonymous key, authentication management domain and message authentication code. The message security code is stored in the 1st to 4th bytes of the packet data unit PDU. The sequence number (Sequence number) is used to ensure the freshness of the switching demand information to resist replay attacks. The sequence number is a sequence number counter maintained by the target terminal device UE and the home user server respectively. The sequence number is stored in the 5th byte of the packet data unit PDU. The message security code and sequence number are mainly used to achieve two-way authentication and secure communication between the user and the network. The protocol configuration option PCO element includes: configuration protocol, container identifier, container identifier length, and container identifier content. Configuration protocol refers to the protocol used to exchange configuration information between the target terminal device UE and the network device (such as a base station), which is stored in the 6th byte of the packet data unit PDU; container ID is used to identify a specific container in the configuration information, which is stored in the 7th-8th bytes of the packet data unit PDU; container ID length is used to identify the length of the data in the specific container, which is stored in the 9th byte of the packet data unit PDU; container ID contents refers to the data actually contained in the container, which is stored in the 10th byte and thereafter of the packet data unit PDU. It is worth noting that the configuration protocol, container ID, container ID length, and container ID contents in this application can be multiple, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0095] For example, Table 4 is a schematic table of another packet data unit PDU provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Table 4:

[0096] Table 4 Schematic diagram of packet data unit PDU

[0097]

[0098]

[0099] In combination with Table 4, it can be seen that the content of the protocol configuration option PCO information element includes: slice / service type, slice distinguisher, mobile country code, mobile network code, QoS rule list, QoS flow description list and session AMBR content, and may also include other content. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to geomagnetism.

[0100] In an embodiment of the present application, the extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number, and second switching requirement information, and the second switching requirement information includes: a protocol configuration option PCO information element. The present application can verify the integrity and authenticity of the message through the message security code and the sequence number to prevent unauthorized modification or forgery. By configuring the protocol option PCO information element, unnecessary signaling exchanges can be reduced, network load can be reduced, and resource allocation can be optimized, thereby improving the operating efficiency and user experience of the entire network.

[0101] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a mobile communication switching device corresponding to a mobile communication switching method. Since the principle of solving the problem by the device in the embodiment of the present application is similar to the above-mentioned mobile communication switching method in the embodiment of the present application, the implementation of the device can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0102] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile communication switching device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the device comprises:

[0103] The first receiving module 501 is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of a 5G network;

[0104] The first response module 502 is used to respond to the network switching demand and send a relocation request to the mobility management entity MME in the core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through the service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side;

[0105] The first sending module 503 is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the first access network device, and the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

[0106] Optionally, the first switching requirement information is carried in a packet data unit PDU in the switching command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0107] Optionally, the packet data unit PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and first switching requirement information, and the first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context.

[0108] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides another mobile communication switching device corresponding to another mobile communication switching method. Since the principle of solving the problem by the device in the embodiment of the present application is similar to the above-mentioned another mobile communication switching method in the embodiment of the present application, the implementation of the device can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0109] Figure 6 A structural diagram of another mobile communication switching device provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the device comprises:

[0110] The second receiving module 601 is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in a 4G network;

[0111] The second response module 602 is used to respond to the network switching request, send a relocation request to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and enable the target AMF to perform an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side;

[0112] The second sending module 603 is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the second access network device, and the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

[0113] Optionally, the second switching requirement information is carried in an extended packet data unit PDU in the switching command in the form of non-access layer NAS signaling.

[0114] Optionally, the extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and second switching requirement information, and the second switching requirement information includes: a protocol configuration option PCO information element.

[0115] For descriptions of the processing flow of each module in the device and the interaction flow between each module, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0116] The embodiment of the present application also provides a core network device, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 7As shown, the core network device includes: a transmitter 701, a receiver 702 and a processor 703; the transmitter 701 and the receiver 702 are respectively connected to the processor 703, and when the core network device is running, the processor is used to execute the steps of the above-mentioned mobile communication switching method. Among them, when the core network device is a 5G core network device, the processor 703 can be an access mobility management function AMF network element in the 5G network, and when the core network device is a 4G core network device, the processor 703 can be a mobile management entity MME in the 4G network.

[0117] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above-mentioned mobile communication switching method are executed.

[0118] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working process of the system and device described above can refer to the corresponding process in the method embodiment, and will not be repeated in this application. In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the modules is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some communication interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0119] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention is essentially or part of the technical solution that contributes to the prior art or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, RandomAccess Memory), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0120] The above are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A mobile communication switching method, characterized in that: An access mobility management function AMF network element applied to a 5G network, the method comprising: Receiving a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network; In response to the network switching demand, a relocation request is sent to a mobility management entity MME in a core network of the 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for the target UE through a service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through a second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side; A switching command is sent to the target UE through the first access network device, and the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first handover requirement information is carried in a packet data unit PDU in the handover command in a non-access layer NAS signaling manner.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The packet data unit PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the first switching requirement information, and the first switching requirement information includes: a mapped evolved packet system EPS bearer context.

4. A mobile communication switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a mobile management entity MME in a 4G network, the method comprises: Receiving a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in the 4G network; In response to the network switching demand, a relocation request is sent to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and the target AMF performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side; A switching command is sent to the target UE through the second access network device, and the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The second handover requirement information is carried in an extended packet data unit PDU in the handover command in a non-access layer NAS signaling manner.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The extended PDU includes: a message security code, a sequence number and the second switching requirement information, and the second switching requirement information includes: a protocol configuration option PCO information element.

7. A mobile communication switching device, characterized in that: An access mobility management function AMF network element applied to a 5G network, the device comprising: A first receiving module is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a first access network device of the 5G network; A first response module is used to respond to the network switching demand and send a relocation request to a mobility management entity MME in a core network of a 4G network, so that the MME performs a session creation operation for a target UE through a service gateway SGW in the 4G network, and performs an access network switching operation for the target UE through a second access network device in the 4G network, so as to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the network side; The first sending module is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the first access network device, and the switching command includes: first switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the first switching requirement information to switch from the 5G network to the 4G network on the device side.

8. A mobile communication switching device, characterized in that: Applicable to a mobile management entity MME in a 4G network, the device comprising: A second receiving module is used to receive a network switching requirement for a target terminal device UE sent by a second access network device in the 4G network; A second response module, configured to respond to the network switching request, send a relocation request to the initial AMF of the target UE in the 4G network, so that the initial AMF and the target AMF in the 5G network perform a relocation operation for the target UE, and enable the target AMF to perform an access network switching operation for the target UE through the first access network device in the 5G network, so as to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the network side; The second sending module is used to send a switching command to the target UE through the second access network device, and the switching command includes: second switching requirement information, and the switching command is used to enable the target UE to perform a switching operation based on the second switching requirement information to switch from the 4G network to the 5G network on the device side.

9. A core network device, characterized in that: The device includes: a transmitter, a receiver and a processor; the transmitter and the receiver are respectively connected to the processor, and when the core network device is running, the processor is used to execute the steps of any one of the methods described in claims 1-6 above.

10. A storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are executed.

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